Fire-escape



(N0 Model.) 2 SheetsShe,et 1.

I. STEVER.

FIRE ESCAPE.

N0. 270,995. PatentedJan.23, 1883.

WITNESSES llVVE/VTO/P (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. STEVER.

FIRE ESCAPE,

No. 270,995. Patented Ja.r1.23,1883.

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JEREMIAH STEVER, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TO GEORGE H. CLOWES AND EDWARD L. FRISBEE, JR., BOTH OF WATERBURY, CONNECTICUT.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 270,995, dated January 23, 1883.

Application filed March 18, 1882. (No model.)

all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JEREMIAH STEVER, of with but very slight expense of friction or 50 Bridgeport, in the county of Fairiieldand State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire-Escapes; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same.

'My invention relates to an improvement in fire-escapes, the object being to provide a fireescape of such construction and arrangement of parts that it may be located at the top of the building in small compass and be readily lowered, and its descent regulated by a person on any floor of the building.

With these ends in view, my invention consists in certain features of construction and combination of parts, as willhereinafter be described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of a portion of a building having one of my improved fire-escapes attached thereto. Fig. 2 is a rear view of the wall of the building, showing the arrangement of the operating-cord and devices connected therewith. Fig. 3 is a detached view, in perspective, of theimprovement; and Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of a section of the flexible ladder.

A represents a drum mounted in suitable bearings, B, which may be secured beneath one of the windows of the upper story of the building; or the drum may be located on the outside of the wall of the building; or it may be placed in a suitable housing on the roof of the building.

To the shaft C of the winding-drum are firmly secured the upper ends of the two chains D D, which constitute the sides of the flexible ladder. These chains are constructed as shown in the enlarged view in Fig. 4. Each link E of the chainis made up of thelinks a a, connected by the loop b, the latter receiving the two links a a of the next adjacent link. This construction of chain insures great strength and durability, and also the chain is very flexible, whereby it may be wound or unwound wear.

F represents the rounds of the ladder. They may be secured to the chains D D in any desired manner; but I prefer to slot the ends of the rounds, as at c, and secure the chains in 5 said slotted ends.

Upon the window-sill is secured a curved metal plate, Cr, which extends into the room and downwardly over the sill on the outside of the building, so as to form a metal bearingsurface for the flexible ladder to run over as the ladder is raised and lowered,and also constitute an inclined bearing for the rolling weight H, attached to the lower and free end of the ladder. When the ladder is raised the ro'lling weight rests upon this curved plate, and when the locking device is released the weight instantly rolls outward and drops to the ground or pavement, carrying with it the flexible ladder.

1 represents the lower window-sash, having springs t 'i, inserted beneath its ends and the sill to raise the sash a limited distance. On the'lower'edge of the sash is secured a metal plate, j. To the side of the sash is secured a pin or stud, J, with which engages the hook K when the sash is depressed. Hook K is pivoted .at k, and is constructed with an arm, L, which is pulled upwardiy by a spiral spring, M, the latter serving to throw the hook K to- 80 'ward the sash and in engagement with the pin or stud J.

An endless cord, N, of wire rope or fibrous material, is arranged in the building so as to be readily accessible from any floor. This cord passes over a pulley, n, on the lower or basement floor and a pulley, n, at the top of the building.

To the half P of the endless cord or cable is secured a block, 0, which strikes the outwardly-projecting fingers 0, attached to the arm L, when the portion 1? of the cord is pulled down and releases the hook from the stud on the window-sash. A similar block, Q, is attached to the other half, 1?, of the cord, which, beiu g drawn down, strikes an arm, R, secured to the ranged to engage with one head of the drum or Within a groove formed in one head.

Having given a description of the construction and relative arrangement of parts of my improvement in fire-escapes, I will give a brief explanation of its operation.

In its normal condition the flexible ladder is wound on the drum, the weight resting on the curved plate G, and the ladder. locked against escape by means of the sash resting on the flexible ladder, thereby preventing the round escaping between the sash and sill. The sash is retained in its depressed position by means of the hook engaging with the stud or pin attached thereto. Should a fire originate in any portion of the building, the part P of the endless rope or cable, being drawn down by a person on any floor of the building, serves to release the hook from the stud on the sash, and allow the springs to raise the sash and release the flexible ladder. The rolling weight H will instantly roll outwardly and drop from the curved plate G and fall to the ground, carrying with it the ladder, thereby affording a ready and efficient means of escape for the occupants of the different stories of the building. After the ladder has been released its descent may be regulated by drawing down the part P of the endless cord, which operation serves to draw the metal brake-band in frictional contact with the ladder as it unwinds from the drum. Any desired number of these ladders may be provided for a build-. ing; and in view of the fact that they may be operated from any floor of the building they will insure prompt and efflcient means of exit in case of fire.

It is evident that many slight changes in the construction and relative arrangement of parts might be resorted to without involving a departure from the spirit of my invention; and hence I would have it understood that I do not restrict myself to the exact construction and arrangement of parts shown and described; but,

Having fully described my invention,what 1 claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a fire-escape, the combination, with a drum and a flexible ladder secured thereto,of a sash adapted to be closed over the ladder and retain it against accidental displacement, substantially as set forth.

2. In a fire escape, the combination, with a drum and a flexible ladder secured thereto,

of a. sash adapted to be closed against the lad der and retain it in its elevated position, and

springs and locking devices for releasing the sash and allowing the ladder to unwind and drop to the pavement, substantially as set forth.

ing the descent of the ladder, and an.endless cord or cable for operating both the releasing devices and the brake, substantially as set forth.

4. In a fire-escape, the combination, with a device mounted on supports located within a building, and a flexible ladder secured thereto, and having a rolling weight attached to its lower end, of a curved metal bearing-plate permanently secured to the window-sill and extending outwardly and downwardly over the same, and adapted to support the ladder and the rolling weight, substantially as set forth.

5. In a tire-escape, the combination, with a drum and a flexible ladder secured thereto, of a flexible metal brake-band and means for forcingits free endin direct contact with the flexible ladder, and thereby regulating its descent, substantially as set forth.

6. In a fire-escape, the combination, with a drum and a flexible ladder secured thereto, of a metallic brake-band adapted to be drawn into direct engagement with the flexible ladder, and an endless cord or cable for operating the brake-band, substantially as set forth.

7. In a tire-escape, the combination, with a drum and flexible ladder secured thereto, ot'

a sash adapted to close upon the ladder, a spring-actuated hook for locking thesash against accidental displacement, an endless cord for releasing the hook from engagement with the sash,and springs for raising the sash and releasing the ladder, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JEREMIAH STEVER.

Witnesses 'F. O. McOLEARY, HERMAN MORAN. 

